Arlington ISD has found its new superintendent, according to an announcement made this week.
Matt Smith of Belton ISD was named Arlington ISD’s sole finalist in its hunt for a new superintendent after a thorough interview process. The Arlington ISD board of trustees voted anonymously to bring Smith on board at its meeting on Tuesday.
Smith will be presented with an official contract on January 8 and take over for Stephen Wurtz, the district’s chief academic officer, who has been acting as interim superintendent and did not pursue the position full-time, according to NBC 5 DFW.
“With visionary leadership and commitment to student success, we know he’ll continue to drive our district forward with excellence!” the district wrote in a post on X.
As reported by The Dallas Express, Marcelo Cavazos announced that he would be retiring in February of last year after serving as the district’s superintendent since 2012. Many spoke highly of Cavazos’ time at the helm of the third-largest district in the metroplex.
“His visionary leadership has truly changed Arlington ISD for generations to come,” said Melody Fowler, president of the board of trustees for Arlington ISD, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Although Michelle Cavazos (no relation to Marcelo Cavazos) of Gregory-Portland ISD was named the lone finalist to replace Cavazos in May, she ultimately opted to remain in her superintendent position at her home institution. Texas state law requires a 21-day waiting period before contracts are offered to new district officials and signed.
Arlington ISD, which currently comprises 8,500 employees and serves approximately 55,000 students, has struggled with student achievement outcomes. According to the Texas Education Agency’s latest accountability report, only 40% of Arlington ISD students scored at grade level on the 2021-2022 STAAR exams, with 87.7% of its Class of 2022 earning a diploma in four years.
This is roughly on par with the lackluster performance of Dallas ISD, which only saw 41% of its students score at grade level that same school year. Moreover, it managed to graduate 81.1% of its seniors on time.
According to Fowler, Smith was instrumental in improving student achievement outcomes at Belton ISD, a smaller district that saw 49% of its students score at grade level on the 2021-2022 STAAR exams and 97.4% of its graduating class finish within four years.
“His dedication to student achievement, innovative educational practices, and fostering collaborative environments align seamlessly with Arlington ISD’s vision for the future,” Fowler said. “We know he will be a transformative leader and a great asset to the Arlington community.”
Smith expressed gratitude and eagerness ahead of the new appointment.
“Arlington ISD has a storied history in Texas public schools, and I am truly humbled and grateful that the Board of Trustees welcomed me to the team,” he said. “With students, staff, parents, and the community, we will build on Arlington ISD’s foundation of excellence for a thriving future. Together, with this wonderful team, we will do amazing things for our students, and I cannot wait to get started.”
